Pattern attachment for tufting machines



Dec. 21, 1965 4 CARD 3,224,395

PATTERN ATTACHMENT FOR TUFTING MACHINES Filed NOV. 21, 1963 F lg. 2.

INVENTOR.

Roy T. CARD ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,224,395 PATTERN ATTACHMENT FOR TUFTING MACHINES Roy T. Card, Chattanooga, Tenn., assiguor to The Singer Company, New York, N .Y., a corporation of New Jerse y Filed Nov. 21, 1963, Ser. No. 325,347

4 Claims. (Cl. 11279) The present invention relates to a pattern attachment for tufting machine, or more particularly, to a pattern controlled yarn feeding mechanism for a 'tufting machine, which mechanism will feed different lengths of yarn to the different needles of the tufting machine upon each stitch, thereby producing in the article being tufted a pattern defined by variations in the height of the pile.

The object of this invention is to provide a pattern attachment of the type forming the subject matter of the United States patent of I. L. Card, No. 2,935,037, May 3, 1960, wherein the means for gripping the yarn is more positive and which will effectively feed a wide range of different yarns, including filament yarns which, because of their characteristics and because they are not spun, tend to collapse when they are compressed. Fur ther objects of this invention are to provide such a mechanism which is economical to manufacture, can be readily manufactured in different sizes, and which, in addition to feeding the yarn effectively and reliably, is also dependable and durable in operation.

Having in mind the above and other objects that Will be evident from an understanding of this disclosure, the invention comprises the devices, combinations and arrangements of parts as illustrated in the presently preferred embodiment of the invention which is hereinafter set forth in such detail as to enable those skilled in the art readily to understand the function, operation, construction and advantages of it when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view transversely of a tufting machine embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

With reference to the drawings, the present invention is disclosed as embodied in a tufting machine having a frame 1 that includes a bed plate 2 over which the backing fabric 3 is moved by the backing fabric feed means which comprises a plurality of feed rolls 4 at the output side of the machine and a plurality of let-off rolls 5 at the input side of the machine. Journaled longitudinally of the frame 1 in the upper portion thereof is a rotary main shaft 6 upon which is mounted an eccentric 7 embraced by the upper end of a link 8. At its lower end the link 8 is connected to an endwise reciprocatory rod 9 mounted in a bushing 10 in the frame 1 and carrying at its lower end a needle bar 11. Mounted in the needle bar 11 is a needle 12 which is adapted to be reciprocated through the backing fabric 3 and a needle plate 13 on the bed plate 2 and which supports the backing fabric against the thrust of the needle. Beneath the bed plate 2 there is journaled an oscillating hook shaft 14 which carries a hook 15 that cooperates with the needle 12 in the formation of tufted pile.

It will of course be understood that, while only one set of pile forming elements, that is the needle 12 and hook 15, are shown, a plurality of such sets are provided in the machine.

The yarn 16 from the source is directed to a shiftable yarn guide or finger 17, through the yarn feeding mechanism, designated generally 18, through successive yarn guides 19, over a yarn jerker 20 carried by the needle bar 11, and through a yarn guide 21 on the needle bar 11 to the needle 12.

The main shaft 6 is driven in any suitable manner (not shown) and it in turn drives the hook shaft 14 and the feed rolls 4 and 5.

The yarn feed mechanism 18, comprises a pair of spaced parallel shafts 22 and 23 journaled for example in plates 24 secured to the frame 1 of the machine; Also journaled in the plates 24 is a countershaft 25 on the end of which is secured a sprocket 26 connected by a chain 27 to a sprocket 28 on the main shaft 6 whereby the countershaft 25 is driven in timed relation to the rotation of the main shaft 6. Rotation is imparted to the shaft 22 from the countershaft 25 in a one-to-one relation by a chain 29 entrained about a sprocket 30 on the countershaft 25 and a sprocket 31 on the shaft 22. The shaft 23 is driven by the countershaft 25 at a slower speed, for example at one-half the speed of the countershaft 25, through a second countershaft 32 journaled in the plates 24 and driven by reduction gears 33 and 34 from the countershaft 25 and connected in turn with the shaft 23 by a chain 35 and sprockets 36 and 37. Thus, the shafts 22 and 23 are driven at different speeds in opposite directions, the shaft 23 rotating slower than the shaft 22. It is also within the contemplation of this invention that each of the shafts 22 and 23 may be driven at different speeds or may be idled, as by the use of separate drives coupled thereto by magnetic clutches.

Stacked upon the shafts 22 and 23 in abutting relation are a plurality of gears including an alternating arrangement of driven or fast gears 38 and idler or loose gears 39, the driven gears 38 being coupled to the shafts for unitary rotation therewith for example by means of keys 40 on the gears 38 and seated in key ways 41 in the shafts, and the idler gears 39 being freely journaled on the shafts for rotation relative thereto. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the gears 38 and 39 all have the same dimensions and in fact are identical except for the keys 40 and except for the fact that the gears 39 are made of a different material from the gears 38 in order to reduce friction and to avoid the use of lubricants which may contaminate the yarn.

The gears 38 and 39 are arranged on the shafts 22 and 23 such that the driven gears 38 are all in mesh with an idler gear 39 on the opposite shaft, thereby defining'intermeshing pairs of gears comprising a driven gear and an idler gear. The gears are held endwise of the shafts by collars 42. The shafts 22 and 23 are spaced apart such that the gears of each of the intermeshing pairs are in spaced intermeshing relation, that is, the teeth of j the gears are not seated fully in the troughs between the teeth of the opposite gear, but rather leaves a space to accommodate the yarn 16. In view of the alternating arrangement of the gears 38 and 39 on the shafts 22 and 23, the adjacent gears on any one shaft are running at different speeds, the driven gears 38 on any one of the shafts 22 and 23 running at the speed of its shaft and the idler gears 39 running at the speed of the opposite shaft.

The number of gears 38 and 39 and finger 17 correspond to the number of needles of the tufting machine -there being for example two adjacent intermeshing pairs of gears and a finger 17 for each needle or for each two needles, each of the fingers 17 thus controlling either one or two yarns to direct the same into cooperation with one of the two associated pairs of gears. It will also be apparent that each of the fingers 17 may share each of its associated gears with the fingers on each side thereof, thereby reducing the number of gears required. The pattern attachment can be provided in any selected length by providing shafts 22 and 23 of the desired length and by stacking thereon an appropriate number of gears 38 and 39.

Each yarn is guided by a finger 17 between the gears 38 and 39 of one of the intermeshing pairs of gears. The intermeshing teeth of the gears undulate and grip the'yarn so that as' the gears rotate, the yarn is pulled from the supply and made available to the needle. Since the driven gears 38 on the shaft 22 are rotating at a higher speed than the driven gears 38 on the shaft 23, the yarns associated with a driven gear 38 on the shaft 22 will be fed at a faster rate than the yarns associated with a driven gear 38 on the shaft 23.

To shift the yarns 16 back and forth between adjacent pairs of the intermeshing pairs of gear, which are running at different speeds and which will therefore feed a diffent length of the yarns, the fingers 17 are mounted on rods 42 vertically arranged and pivotally mounted in a housing 43 on the frame 1. Each of the rods 42 has an arm 44 extending into the housing 43, and connected with the armature of a solenoid 45. A spring 46 is provided to return the. arm 44 to its normal position. When the solenoid 45 is energized, the finger 17 associated therewith is pivoted to direct the yarn into cooperation with one pair of the intermeshing pairs of the gears 38 and 39'and when the solenoid is deenergized,

the spring 46 returns the finger 17 todirect the yarn into cooperation with the adjacent pair of the intermeshing pairs of gears.

The solenoids .45 are energized by a pattern controlled means comprising a rotatable drum 47 mounted on the frame 1 and adapted to be rotated in synchronism with the machine. The drum 47 is made of a conducting material upon the surface of which is placed as insulating material 48 that defines the desired pattern. There is provided a finger 49 for each of the solenoids 45, each of which fingers engage the periphery of the drum 47 and which are electrically connected as by wires 50 with the respective solenoid. The drum and the solenoids are connected to the opposite sides of a source of elecrtical power. Thus, as the drum 47 rotates, the fingers 49 will engage the surface of the drum in those, areas where there is no insulating material 48, thereby energizing the respective ones of the solenoids 45. When a finger 49 is insulated from the drum 47 by the insulating material 48, the associated solenoid is deenergized.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim herein is:

1. In a tufting machine, a yarn feeding mechanism comprising a pair of spaced parallel shafts, a plurality of yarn feeding elements mounted upon each of said shafts with each of said. elements in yarn feeding engagernent with 'aneleme'nt on the Opposite shaft and defining pairs of cooperating yarn feeding elements, one of said elements of each of said pairs of cooperating yarn feeding elements being a driven element coupled to its shaft for unitary rotation therewith and the other of said elements being an idler element freely mounted on its shaft for rotation relative thereto, the elements on each of said shafts including both driven elements and idler elements disposed in adjacent relation, means for rotating one of said shafts in one direction at one speed and the other of said shafts in the opposite direction at a different speed, and shiftable yarn guide means for directing a yarn selectively between the elements of one of said pairs of cooperating yarn feeding elements or between the elements of an adjacent one of said pairs of cooperating yarn feeding elements whereby the yarn will be fed at different rates.

2. In a tufting machine, a yarn feeding mechanism comprising a pair of spaced parallel shafts, a plurality of gears mounted upon each of said shafts with each of said gears in spaced intermeshing relation with a gear on the opposite shaft and defining intermeshing pairs of gears, one of the gears of each of said intermeshing pairs of gears being a driven gear coupled to its shaft for unitary rotation therewith and the other. of the gears of each ofsaid intermeshing pairs of gears being an idler gear freely journaled on its shaft for rotation relative thereto, the gears on each of said shafts including both driven gears and idler gears disposed in adjacent relation, means for rotating one of said shafts in one direction at one speed and the other of said shafts in the opposite direction at a different speed, and shiftable yarn guide means for directing a yarn selectively between the gears of one of said intermeshing pairs of gears or between the gears of an adjacent one of said intermeshing pairs of gears whereby the yarn will be fed at different rates.

3. In a tufting machine, a yarn feed mechanism comprising a pair of spaced parallel shafts, a plurality of substantially identical gears mounted in abutting relation upon each of said shafts with each of the gears in spaced intermeshing relation with a gear on the opposite shaft and defiining intermeshing pairs of gears, one of the gears of each of said intermeshing pairs of gears being a driven gear coupled to its shaft for unitary rotation therewith and the other of the gears of each of said intermeshing pairs of gears being an idler gear freely journaled on its shaft for rotation relative thereto, the gears on any one of said shafts including both driven gears and idler gears disposed in adjacent relation, means for rotating one of shafts in one direction at one speed and the other of said shafts in the opposite direction at a different speed, and shiftable yarn guide means for directing a yarn selectively between the gears of one of said intermeshing pairs of gears or between the gears of an adjacent oneof said intermeshing pairs of gears whereby the yarn will be fed at different rates.

4. In a tufting machine, a yarn feeding mechanism comprising a pair of spaced parallel shafts, a plurality of gears mounted upon each of said shafts with each of the gears in spaced intermeshing relation with a gear on the opposite shaft and defining intermeshing pairs of gears, one of the gears of each of said intermeshing pairs of gears being a driven gear coupled to its shaft for unitary rotation therewith and the other of the gears of each of said pairs of intermeshing pairs of gears being an idler gear freely journaled on its shaft for rotation relative thereto, the gears on each of said shafts being both driven gears and idler gears arranged in alternating relation, means for rotating one of said shafts in one direction at one speed and the other of said shafts in the opposite direction at a different speed, and shiftable yarn guide means for directing a yarn selectively between the gears of one of said intermeshing pairs of gears or between the gearsof an adjacent one of saidintermeshing pairs of gears whereby the yarn will be fed at different rates,

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,935,037 5/1960 Card 11279.6 3,094,855 6/1963 Vossen 1l2-79 X 3,160,125 12/1964 Bryant l1279 JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A TUFTING MACHINE, A YARN FEEDING MECHANISM COMPRISING A PAIR OF SPACED PARALLEL SHAFTS, A PLURALITY OF YARN FEEDING ELEMENTS MOUNTED UPON EACH OF SAID SHAFTS WITH EACH OF SAID ELEMENTS IN YARN FEEDING ENGAGEMENT WITH AN ELEMENT ON THE OPPOSITE SHAFT AND DEFINING PAIRS OF COOPERATING YARN FEEDING ELEMENTS, ONE OF SAID ELEMENTS OF EACH OF SAID PAIRS OF COOPERATING YARN FEEDING ELEMENTS BEING A DRIVEN ELEMENT COUPLED TO ITS SHAFT FOR UNITARY ROTATION THEREWITH AND THE OTHER OF SAID ELEMENTS BEING AN IDLER ELEMENT FREELY MOUNTED ON ITS SHAFT FOR ROTATION RELATIVE THRETO, THE ELEMENTS ON EACH OF SAID SHAFTS INCLUDING BOTH DRIVEN ELEMENTS AND IDLER ELEMENTS DISPOSED IN ADJACENT RELATION, MEANS FOR ROTATING ONE OF SAID SHAFTS IN ONE DIRECTION AT ONE SPEED AND THE OTHER OF SAID SHAFTS IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AT A DIFFERENT SPEED, AND SHIFTABLE YARN GUIDE MEANS FOR DIRECTING A YARN SELECTIVELY BETWEEN THE ELEMENTS OF ONE OF SAID PAIRS OF COOPERATING YARN FEEDING ELEMENTS OR BETWEEN THE ELEMENTS OF AN ADJACENT ONE OF SAID PAIRS OF COOPERATING YARN FEEDING ELEMENTS WHEREBY THE YARN WILL BE FED AT DIFFERENT RATES. 